Does mom like to spend her free time in the kitchen? Go with a personalized recipe box, which will keep her culinary secrets safe and organized for years to come. Show her that you’ve grown up thrifty by saving 15% at checkout with the coupon code GIFTS215. Need an even better Christmas gift idea? Surprise her by filling the box with favorite holiday recipes from your childhood.

Does she prefer the great outdoors? Why not go with a personalized gardening tote that will really compliment her green thumb. And don’t forget to save 15% while you’re at it! As mom would say, money doesn’t grow on trees.

Drooling over something fabulous that’s still out of your price range?  Consider signing up for the websites e-newsletter.  You typically don’t have to make a purchase to register, and nearly every email that hits your inbox will contain coupon codes, free shipping deals, and other money-saving offers.  For example, I’ve had my eye on these incredible outer-space robot Christmas ornaments all month!  But with Christmas still 8 months away, I can bide my time until I see an offer I can’t refuse.

Take the now-notorious Zhu Zhu pet for example. This was THE Christmas gift for kids this past holiday season, and these little critters were flying off of store shelves faster than you could keep up with. But now that Christmas has come and gone, you can order one online, with free shipping included, for under $15. However, this is one holiday deal that won’t last all year, so don’t let your tendency to procrastinate keep you from scoring this amazing Christmas gift at an amazing price.

Everyone knows that the day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as Black Friday, is the biggest shopping day of the year. Most major retailers consider this day to be the ultimate shopping event, and it can be a great time to take advantage of hot sales and holiday deals on Christmas gifts for the whole family. However, without proper planning, Black Friday can quickly turn in to the shopping day from hell. Follow these tips and you’ll not only survive, but you’ll be in great shape to shop ’til you drop.

1) Wear comfortable shoes.
This one’s a no-brainer. You’ll be walking and standing in line most of the day, so this in not the time to break in those new high heeled Michael Kors boots.

2) Pack a snack
Tuck some water and a bag of trail mix or a granola bar in your purse. This will save you the frustration of waiting in line at the food court for greasy, unhealthy junk food.

3) Take your time
Don’t try to be the first shopper inside when a store opens. This is how people end up getting trampled every year. Sure, that flat screen TV would make a great Christmas gift, but it’s not worth a trip to the ER.

4) Plan your parking
By the time the sun goes down, you’ll be pretty much shopped out, and a 5 mile hike back to the car will surely kill whatever is left of your Christmas spirit. Make a mental map of all the stores you want to hit, and then park as close as you can to the dead center. That way, you’ll never have to hoof it farther than half way.

5) Tag team!
Shopping with a friend or family member can be a great way shop savvy. Have someone get in line right away and hold your place while you stock up on affordable Christmas gifts. You’ll also need an extra set of hands to carry packages, and an extra set of eyes to spot the best holiday deals.

#1 – The Homemade Coupon

This is hands-down our favorite low-cost gift and one that will be especially loved by a spouse, parents or grandparents. Who says a Christmas gift has to cost money? Spend a little time creating a homemade coupon good for a free back rub, 5 nights of doing the dishes or a week of breakfast in bed. What mom isn’t going to love receiving a coupon from her kids worth 2 hours of “quiet time” or a coupon from her husband for a week of diaper-changing. You can even spring for the $2.99 Christmas card to enclose the coupon.

#2 – A Framed Photo

Find a great photo of you and the gift recipient. There may be a digital photo sitting somewhere on a computer hard drive. Maybe it’s on your Facebook or Flickr account or in some long lost folder. Dig up a great photo and have it printed in 4×6 or 5×7 size at any one of the many online printing services. Most offer extremely low-cost prints as well as free prints for new accounts.

Then buy a nice little photo frame. You may be surprised to find that there are well over 200 photo frames available in all shapes and sizes for less than $5. Check out Pronto Home for all the sizes and styles. The one featured here would make a great gift and is only $3.12 at Sears.

See the Photo Frames

#3 – A Christmas Ornament

The holiday ornament is a very nice gift that will be used year after year. It’s an inexpensive gift, often less than the cost of a scented candle, yet can look like it cost much more. Our favorites are the blown glass ornaments or the old-style wooden or metal ornaments that look like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

CB2 offers a handblown frosted glass snowman for only $1.95. It’s simple, sleek and is a modern take on a traditional ornament. With a nice box and wrapping paper, this will make a great little gift.

We found hundreds of holiday ornaments for under $5 from great stores like Pottery Barn, CB2, Target and more.

See the Ornaments

#4 – Holiday Sugar Cookies

Flour and sugar are cheap and water is free. Get the basics for making cookies for less than $5 at your local supermarket and spend the afternoon baking sugar cookies in all the traditional holiday shapes. What to pack them in? Here you will need to do a little recycling and regifting. Use last year’s cookie tins or some of the gift bags you’ve received in the past and stored in the closet.

#5 – A Bottle of “Inexpensive” Wine

Notice that I didn’t say cheap. The quality of wine is subjective and when someone doesn’t recognize the brand and has no idea of the price, more often than not, they also won’t know the difference. Don’t go to the liquor store for this one as these smaller stores are less likely to have wines below the $5 threshold. Try a local supermarket that runs good sales or weekly specials. Don’t buy a mainstream brand and judge the wine based on the label. A simple, elegant wine label will make the gift recipient think you bought this special wine while touring through the Napa Valley back in 1997. Who knows, you could have been storing it all these years just for this special occasion. Enjoy.

2) Do Your Homework
Even if you’re clueless about what to shop for, start online. Sites like Gifts.com specialize in helping you with great gift ideas for everyone on your list. Once you know what you’re shopping for, use your favorite search engine to help you find the best online deal. When deciding whether to buy online or in the store, make sure to factor in shipping and handling costs. Try searching for retailer-specific coupons, promo codes, or upcoming sales in order to get the biggest bang for your buck. Then call your local store to find out how their price compares before you make the trip.

3) Shop Early
The stress of holiday shopping is one of the biggest threats to your budget. If you find yourself at the malls on Christmas eve, desperately seeking last minute Christmas gifts for the whole family, you are guaranteed to overspend. Speaking of early, if you’re headed to a major discount retailer, consider going early in the morning on a weekday. Most stores will replenish their stock before after closing, and avoiding the crowds and long lines will mean that you’re calm and collected enough to make financially sensible purchases.

4) Consider Re-Gifting
If you have to come up with generic Christmas gifts for neighbors, co-workers, or acquaintances, start by shopping your own closets. You likely already own something that would make a fabulous and free gift. Items to look for include candles, scarves or gloves, home fragrances and decor, or bath products. As long as its new un-opened, it’s a candidate for re-gifting. Trust me, they’ll never know.

5) Can You Make It For Less?
No, of course you can’t build a homemade XBOX 360 for the kids. But there are plenty of great gifts that you can make yourself, and save a bundle doing so. Swing by your local crafts store and see what catches your eye. Photo gifts are also a thoughtful way to stretch your budget. For only a few bucks worth of glossy paper, you can make a photo collage that Grandma will cherish forever. Your Secret Santa at the office would also probably enjoy some homemade Christmas cookies more than another generic paperweight or calendar.